Tea & Books - What are you reading?

1992 Replies
gmathis said

A Letter of Mary by Laurie King. It’s #3 in the Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes series. The earlier ones are much better than the later ones, so this one still has quality.

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I’m trying to read The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. It’s so famous as a fantasy novel and I want to know what all the fuss is about. A quarter through the book and it’s still boring. The characters seem flat as well. Should I even keep reading this? Does it get better? Argh.

Had to turn to an RPG for my side of epic fantasy instead. :)

I read it only for Matt and Perrin as they are the most interesting. It’s not the story itself that is boring it’s the way he writes. He has soo many characters and they are interesting the way he writes will put you to sleep though.

I should also mention I’ve read 1-10. I will have to re-read them before I buy the new ones just so I know how the story ends.

You might be right about the characters. I feel like I barely know them at all despite that fact that the book is a quarter over. Which is probably why I feel they are flat. I should have started caring about the characters by now, but I don’t. They could all get eaten by trollocs and I’d say, “Now this is getting interesting!”

You are also right about the story. I find myself intrigued and anxious to find out about some of the mysteries already described. However, his way of writing feels amateurish and unnecessarily repetitive (okay, I get that they’ve never left their hometown! You can stop mentioning it now). Does he develop as a writer in his later novels? I might keep reading for that. It’s better than starting out awesome and finishing with a fizzle (Katherine Kerr :( ).

Angrboda said

I’m listening to that series on audiobook, and I find it MUCH more approachable in that format. Have just started on book 10 (Note to self, update Goodreads)

Contrary to Helena, however, I’m not a Mat fan. He rather annoys me. So does Nyneave actually although bizarrely she’s one of my favourites. :)

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i’m working my way through a book called GREATER by Pastor Steven Furtick. it’s not everyday you read a real message about real stories and the reality of what it means to be “greater” already a Best Seller on New York Times. Check it out…it really makes you think, which is often what happens to me while i drink tea…i think :) ~ http://greaterbook.com/

gmathis said

Looks interesting. Making note!

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Em said

I can never read just one book at a time. Right now I’m reading 5 :/ My summer reread of the Harry Potter series is still happening. I’m finishing up Deathly Hallows. Also reading several books for work/spiritual growth: Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, and Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. But the book I’m most excited to be reading is the third book in Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series. Love it :) I keep track of my reads on Goodreads.com. It’s almost as fun as Steepster!

gmathis said

I juggle more than one; always need a no-brainer for work lunches, and save the stuff I need to concentrate on for home. I’ve heard of the “Mary Heart” book before and think I need to read it. (I always root for Martha ;) Is it good?

Em said

I just have a hard time picking just one :) I’m due for a classic soon. The Mary Heart book is ok. I’m not really getting into it because I’m more of a Mary than a Martha anyways. A lot of the ladies in my small group love it though. If you root for Martha, then you probably would like it too :) Want me to send it to you when I finish?

gmathis said

How kind! I’ll PM you.

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I finally finished Wuthering Heights, then did a quick reread of Brave New World. Today I started Emma by Jane Austen and I think I’ll start Tuck Everlasting soon. I have a week off for Thanksgiving Break so I am planning on a lot of reading, bubble baths, and of course, tea!

Em said

Brave New World is great! It’s funny how people think Hunger Games is the originator of the dystopian story :)

I think my favorite dystopian story is 1984, but I also really like the Hunger Games…hmm, I just like the dystopian theme I suppose.

JasonCT said

Ooo so much classic lit love right there!
Enjoy!

Serenity said

Last winter I re-read everything by Austen and the Brontes. Enjoyed those books so, so much.
I love the whole dystopian theme going on in YA literature and hope that the kids get to see the bigger picture of utopian/dystopian lit.!

Uniquity said

I love dystopic ficton and have since I was a child. Even as an ‘adult’ I like reading some YA fiction as they are so many wonderful dystopias on the go at the mo.

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Terry Pratchett!!! A Terry Pratchett book always goes well with a cup of tea. :)

Claire said

Love Terry Pratchett! Going Postal is my favorite book by him.

I discovered Terry Pratchett after a friend of mine’s left “Going Postal” in the common grounds at school! I picked it up so that I could give it to her the next day and started reading it that evening and fell in love! Then I read “The Truth” and “The Colour of Magic” and knew I was hooked. I absolutely love The Watch Series and following Death’s antics (and am now lucky enough to have a boyfriend with a bookshelf full of Terry Pratchett).

Claire said

That is awesome. :) Some friends of ours have a chicken named “Granny Weatherwax”.

That is hilarious! I just started reading “Masquerade”, what a coincidence!

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Uniquity said

I just finished Kate Morton’s “The House at Riverton” and am now reading “Whitethorn Woods” by Maeve Binchy. I could have sworn someone here recommended it to me but I can’t seem to find the post now. Both books have been very enjoyable, though I didn’t realize at first the Binchy’s format is more like a story collection of inter-related characters. Reminds me of some of my favourite Alexander McCall-Smith books.

After that, I have “Remains of the Day” from the library (Kazuo Ishiguro) and I think the beau should soon be done “A Dance with Dragons” so I’ll finally be able to read it!

gmathis said

I may have posted about Whitethorn Woods…finished it recently. She always does chapters from a different character’s POV, but some of her books have a more cohesive plot. Minding Frankie (recent) is one of those, as well as The Glass Lake (not as recent). The reason I’ve turned into a Binchy junkie is that I ran out of Rosamunde Pilcher to read.

Uniquity said

It must have been you then. I am really enjoying, a lot more than I thought I would at first. Much like with George R. R. Martin’s books, I keep wishing I could return to a previous character and see what is going on! : )

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Gave up on The Omnivores Dilemma for now, I’m just not into it at the moment. Instead I picked up Deep Fathom by James Rollins; I really love this mans work!

I love anything from James Rollins! Have you read Subterranean? It is probably my favorite of his.

I love anything James Rollins too! Subterranean is the only one I have left after this one. Well, that one and the short stories he has available on e-readers only. Out of all of them Judas Strain is my favorite!

Uniquity said

I support a break from Omnivore’s Dilemma. It’s not the most readable : )

I got it from the library and knew I wouldn’t finish it before I had to return it, so I returned it and found something more readable. I’ll get back to it eventually, but two Michael Pollan books in a row is a no-no!

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gmathis said

Stumbled onto a treat last night: “Akin to Anne.” It’s a compilation of short stories by the author of “Anne of Green Gables.” Read the first two and I was hooked. Very cozy, very “Little Women,” and I can’t wait to cuddle up and read more. (Almost embarrassed to admit I never read Green Gables. I guess it’s about time I got to it.)

Shmiracles said

you must read Green Gables. if i hadn’t just given mine away i would offer to mail it to you!
thanks for telling us about Akin to Anne. i just added it to my reading list.

gmathis said

There was another one that I picked up (giveaway pile) by L.M. Montgomery in my to-be-read pile: it’s either Magic for Marigold or Miracles for Marigold.

Janefan said

I’ll have to look up “Akin to Anne” too. I just loved the Green Gables series when I was younger. They would be nice to re-read over the holidays. I don’t have the books anymore, but if you are into ebooks they are all here, free:
http://girlebooks.com/ebook-catalog/lucy-maud-montgomery/

gmathis said

Cool. I hadn’t thought about online availability. I gravitate to comfort reads this time of year, I think L.M. Montgomery wrote enough to keep me cozy till spring! (fighting urge to walk away and ensconce myself in comfy chair right this minute.)

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inguna said

Just started “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet” so far it looks very promising.

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